Labour Issues Final Ultimatum to Abia Government, Indefinite Strike Begins July 15

The organized labour in Abia State has served a final ultimatum to the state government over alleged non-payment of N30,000 minimum wage and N35,000 palliative award by the state government.

The threat by the workers to go on strike is despite the promises by Governor Alex Otti to pay new wages immediately the Federal government concludes its negotiation with the organized labour.

But in a letter dated July 8, 2024, with No.ORGL/ ABS/Vol.11/002 signed by the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Abia state, Okoro Ogbonnaya and Enogwe Ihechi, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, which was written to Governor Alex Otti through his Chief of Staff, the organized labour threatened that workers in the state would embark on strike from Monday, July 15, 2024.

According to the letter, which was sighted by reporters the organized labour said that the decision to give a final seven days notice was an outcome of the general meeting of the organized labour held on Monday, July 8.

According to them, a 14-day ultimatum earlier given to the state government had expired without the government deeming it necessary to negotiate with the labour on the solution to the demands of the workers.

The decision to go on indefinite strike according to the organized labour was in line with the national directive concerning the alleged non-compliance of the Abia State government.

The letter read in part: “Organized labour hereby issues this final seven (7) days ultimatum with effect from the day of receipt of this letter and states unequivocally, that at the expiration of this ultimatum, on Sunday 00hr, there shall be no further communication with the government.

“Rather, the entire workforce of Abia State will proceed on indefinite strike beginning from Monday, 15th July, 2024.”